Happy Labor Day to all readers in Russia and China

May 1st, International Workers' Day, commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in every country except the United States, Canada, and South Africa. This despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the United States, with the fight for an eight-hour work day. Probably to distance themselves from Communist countries, and also to avoid the connection with a violent labor vs. police riot in Haymarket Square in Chicago following a May Day labor demonstration in 1886, America now celebrates Labor Day in September.

Workers of the world, awaken!
Rise in all your splendid might
Take the wealth that you are making,
It belongs to you by right.
No one will for bread be crying
We'll have freedom, love and health,
When the grand red flag is flying
In the Workers' Commonwealth

Joe Hill